"is called Kubhindo, it is cooked as a vegetable when young, but the ripe gourds are usually popular in making preserves or crystallized candied sweet known as ""murabba"" or ""petha"". Occasionally, it is used to produce a fruit drink with a very distinctive taste. It is usually sweetened with caramelized sugar. In Southeast Asia, the drink is widely marketed as wax gourd tea or wax gourd punch. The shoots, tendrils, and leaves of the plant may also be eaten as greens. Wax gourd Benincasa hispida, the wax gourd, also called ash gourd, white gourd, winter gourd, tallow gourd, ash pumpkin,"
"that are eaten before the rinds and seeds begin to harden are called summer squash and belong to the species C. pepo. Pumpkins also belong to that species, but large, late, smooth, symmetrical forms of C. maxima and C. moschata are sometimes called ""pumpkins"" regardless of species. The word ""pumpkin"" is derived from the old French term pompion, meaning eaten when ""cooked by the sun,"" or ripe. In modern French, pumpkin is called potiron. All three species of squashes and pumpkins are native to the Western Hemisphere. C. maxima, represented now by such varieties as Hubbard, Delicious, Marblehead, Boston Marrow,"
"Egusi Egusi (also known by variations including agusi, agushi) is the name for the fat- and protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants (squash, melon, gourd), which after being dried and ground are used as a major ingredient in West African cuisine. Authorities disagree whether the word is used more properly for the seeds of the colocynth, those of a particular large-seeded variety of the watermelon, or generically for those of ""any"" cucurbitaceous plant. The characteristics and uses of all these seeds are broadly similar. Major egusi-growing nations include Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Egusi"
"in Nigeria to shell egusi. Egusi Egusi (also known by variations including agusi, agushi) is the name for the fat- and protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants (squash, melon, gourd), which after being dried and ground are used as a major ingredient in West African cuisine. Authorities disagree whether the word is used more properly for the seeds of the colocynth, those of a particular large-seeded variety of the watermelon, or generically for those of ""any"" cucurbitaceous plant. The characteristics and uses of all these seeds are broadly similar. Major egusi-growing nations include Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire,"
"as ""sayongte"" () or ""fak maeo"" (, literally meaning ""Miao melon""). It grows mainly in the mountains of northern Thailand. The young shoots and greens are often eaten stir-fried or in certain soups. In Darjeeling, India and Nepal, the plant and fruit is called ""ishkus"" (इस्कुस in Nepali), probably derived from the word squash. Its shoots, fruit and roots are widely used for different varieties of curries. In the Indian state of West Bengal, it is generally known as ""Squash"" (স্কোয়াশ). The whole vegetable is used to make curries, or it is sauteed. It is also cooked with fish, eggs"
"Turban squash Turban squash, also known as ""Turk's turban"" or ""French turban"" (""""Giraumon"""" in French), is a type of squash most often used as a winter squash. It is an heirloom, predating 1820. A cultivar of ""Cucurbita maxima"", it is closely related to the buttercup squash. It is typically 6 pounds when mature. Colors vary, but are often mottled in shades of orange, green, and white. The squash is used as both a vegetable and as an ornamental gourd. Taste is similar to other ""C. maxima"" cultivars, though ""not as vibrant,"" ""reminiscent to hazelnut,"" and ""coarse, watery and insipid."" Known"
"80 cm in length. It has yellow flowers and broad leaves. The taste is rather bland. It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The wax gourd is widely grown throughout Asia, including Java and Japan, the places where it is thought to have originated. The name “winter melon” that is sometimes given to this plant is based on the Chinese name (), however, the character () can also mean “gourd” or “squash”. It is likely that the name “melon” is given because this gourd is sometimes candied or made into a sweet tea; see the Uses section below."
"is a sprawling vine with rough, stiff-haired stems and leaves. The dark green, light-veined leaves are sharply palmate with usually five long triangular points. The stiff, curling yellow flowers are 6 to 8 centimeters wide. The plant bears smooth spherical or oblate squash fruits 8 to 10 centimeters wide. The fruits may be bright yellow to dark green and may have white stripes. The fruit is distasteful and not edible. Cucurbita palmata Cucurbita palmata is a species of flowering plant in the squash family known by the common names coyote melon and coyote gourd. It is similar to ""Cucurbita californica"","
"pulp is still slightly bitter, the Bushman seem to relish eating them, sucking out the contents and either spitting out or chewing up the plentiful seeds. Acanthosicyos Acanthosicyos is a genus of thorny shrubs of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae, subfamily Cucurbitoideae. The genus name derives from the Greek words """"akantha"""" for thorn and """"sykios"""" for cucumber or gourd. Endemic to the Namib Desert in Africa, this genus is represented by two known species including ""Acanthosicyos horridus"", the nara melon, an important food plant in its native range. The Gemsbok cucumber (""Acanthosicyos naudinianus"") is found as a trailing herb throughout much"
"Cyclantheropsis, Dactyliandra, Dendrosicyos, Diplocyclos, Doyerea, Ecballium, Echinocystis, Echinopepon, Eureiandra, Fevillea, Frantzia, Gerrardanthus, Gomphogyne, Gurania, Gynostemma, Halosicyos, Hanburia, Helmontia, Hemsleya, Herpetospermum, Hodgsonia, Ibervillea, Indofevillea, Indomelothria, Kedrostis, Khmeriosicyos, Lagenaria, Lemurosicyos, Linnaeosicyos, Luffa, Marah, Melothria, Melotrianthus, Momordica, Muellerargia, Neoalsomitra, Nothoalsomitra, Papuasicyos, Penelopeia, Peponium, Peponopsis, Polyclathra, Psiguria, Pteropepon, Raphidiocystis, Ruthalicia, Schizocarpum, Schizopepon, Scopellaria, Seyrigia, Sicana, Sicydium, Sicyos, Siolmatra, Siraitia, Solena, Tecunumania, Telfairia, Thladiantha, Trichosanthes, Trochomeria, Trochomeriopsis, Tumamoca, Wilbrandia, Xerosicyos, Zanonia, Zehneria."" Modern molecular phylogenetics suggest the following relationships: Six cucurbit crops are represented in 23 Byzantine-era mosaics from Israel, these being round melons (""Cucumis melo""), watermelons (""Citrullus lanatus""), sponge gourds (""Luffa aegyptiaca""), snake melons"
"Squash blossom Squash blossoms (called courgette flowers in Great Britain) are the edible flowers of ""Cucurbita"" species, particularly ""Cucurbita pepo"", the species that produces zucchini (courgette), marrow, spaghetti squash, and many other types of squash. Squash blossoms are highly perishable, and as such are rarely stocked in supermarkets. Male and female squash blossoms can be used interchangeably, but picking only male flowers (leaving some for pollination) allows the plant to also produce some fruit (squash). Squash blossoms may be stuffed, battered and fried, or made into soup. The flowers have a subtle flavor, reminiscent of young zucchinis, and can be"
"also used the spelling ""simlin"" in his journal entries. Simlin, variously spelled simblin, symnel, cymling, cimnel (Thomas Jefferson's spelling) and simnel were words for summer squash, particularly ""Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo"", common name pattypan squash. The word ""simnel"" was used because of the visual similarity between the squash and the simnel cake. Summer squash Summer squash are squashes that are harvested when immature, while the rind is still tender and edible. Nearly all summer squashes are varieties of ""Cucurbita pepo"", though not all ""Cucurbita pepo"" are considered summer squashes. Most summer squash have a bushy growth habit, unlike the rambling"
"its high D-Chiro-Inositol content. The vine and fruit are used for fodder. Because of its ability to keep for a long time, the ripe fruit was taken on voyages on ships, and used for food for livestock on board. Cucurbita ficifolia Cucurbita ficifolia is a species of squash, grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. It has many common names in English such as the fig-leaf gourd, Malabar gourd, black seed squash, and cidra. Although it is closely related to other squashes in its genus, such as the pumpkin, it shows considerable biochemical difference from them and does not"
"Zucchini The zucchini (, American English) or courgette (, British English) is a summer squash which can reach nearly in length, but is usually harvested when still immature at about . A zucchini is a thin-skinned cultivar of what in Britain and Ireland is referred to as a marrow. In South Africa, a zucchini is known as a baby marrow. Along with certain other squashes and pumpkins, the zucchini belongs to the species ""Cucurbita pepo"". It can be dark or light green. A related hybrid, the golden zucchini, is a deep yellow or orange color. In a culinary context, the"
"Spaghetti squash Spaghetti squash or vegetable spaghetti, is a group of cultivars of ""Cucurbita pepo"" subsp. ""pepo"". They can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, including ivory, yellow and orange, with orange having the highest amount of carotene. Its center contains many large seeds and when raw, the flesh is solid and similar to other raw squash. When cooked, the meat of the fruit falls away from the flesh in ribbons or strands that look like spaghetti. Spaghetti squash can be cooked in a variety of ways, including baking, boiling, steaming, or microwaving. Once cooked the meat"
"Citron melon The citron melon (""Citrullus caffer"") is a relative of the watermelon, also called ""Citrullus lanatus"" var. ""citroides"" and Citrullus amarus, fodder melon, preserving melon, red-seeded citron, jam melon, stock melon, Kalahari melon or tsamma melon. It is in the family Cucurbitaceae which consists of various squashes, melons, and gourds. Its fruit has a hard white flesh, rendering it less likely to be eaten raw; more often it is pickled or used to make fruit preserves, and is used for cattle feed. It is especially useful for fruit preserves, because it has a high pectin content. The citron melon"
"Ivy gourd is rich in beta-carotene. Coccinia grandis Coccinia grandis, the ivy gourd, also known as scarlet gourd, tindora, and kowai fruit, is a tropical vine. It grows primarily in tropical climates and is commonly found in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where it forms a part of the local cuisine. Coccinia grandis is cooked as a vegetable. In Southeast Asia, it is grown for its edible young shoots and edible fruits. Its native range extends from Africa to Asia, including India, the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, eastern Papua New Guinea, and the Northern Territories,"
"(""faqqous"", ""Cucumis melo"" flexuosus group), ""adzhur"" melons (""C. melo"" adzhur group), and bottle gourds (""Lagenaria siceraria""). Cucurbits are represented in 23 of the 134 mosaics containing images of crop plants, a surprisingly high frequency of 17%. Several of the cucurbit images have not been found elsewhere, suggesting a diverse and highly developed local horticulture of cucurbits in Israel during the Byzantine era. Representations of mature sponge gourds are found in widespread localities, suggestive of the high value accorded to cleanliness and hygiene. The name ""Cucurbitaceae"" comes to international scientific vocabulary from New Latin, from ""Cucurbita"", the type genus, + ""-aceae"","
"Cucurbita ficifolia Cucurbita ficifolia is a species of squash, grown for its edible seeds, fruit, and greens. It has many common names in English such as the fig-leaf gourd, Malabar gourd, black seed squash, and cidra. Although it is closely related to other squashes in its genus, such as the pumpkin, it shows considerable biochemical difference from them and does not hybridize readily with them. Like most members of the genus ""Cucurbita"", ""C. ficifolia"" is a climbing vine that is an annual in temperate climates and a perennial in tropical zones. Unlike some other ""Cucurbita"" species, it does not have"
"More specifically, ""gourd"" refers to the fruits of plants in the two Cucurbitaceae genera ""Lagenaria"" and ""Cucurbita"", or also to their hollow, dried-out shell. A gourd can also have a hard shell when dehydrated. There are many different gourds worldwide. The main plants referred to as gourds include several species from the genus ""Cucurbita"" (mostly native to North America, including the Malabar gourd and turban squash), ""Crescentia cujete"" (the tree gourd or calabash tree, native to the American tropics) and ""Lagenaria siceraria"" (bottle gourd, thought to be originally from Africa but present worldwide). Other plants with gourd in their name"
"Archeological and genetic plant research in the 21st century suggests that the peoples of eastern North America independently domesticated squash, sunflower, marsh elder, and chenopod. Portuguese sailors introduced kabocha to Japan in 1541, bringing it with them from Cambodia. The Portuguese name for the squash, ""Cambodia abóbora"" (カンボジャ・アボボラ), was shortened by the Japanese to ""kabocha"". Certain regions of Japan use an alternative abbreviated name, ""bobora"", by shortening the second half of the name. Kabocha is written in Kanji as 南瓜 (southern melon), and it is also occasionally referred to as 南京瓜 (Nanking melon). Kabocha Kabocha (; from Japanese カボチャ, 南瓜)"
"species and Cucurbitaceae (gourd family) with around 900 species. These two families include the only economically important plants. Specifically, the Cucurbitaceae (gourd family) include some food species, such as squash, pumpkin (both from ""Cucurbita""), watermelon (""Citrullus vulgaris""), and cucumber and melons (""Cucumis""). The Begoniaceae are known for their horticultural species, of which there are over 130 with many more varieties. The Cucurbitales are an order of plants with a cosmopolitan distribution, particularly diverse in the tropics. Most are herbs, climber herbs, woody lianas or shrubs but some genera include canopy-forming evergreen lauroid trees. Members of the Cucurbitales form an important"
"of the USDA - Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - National Plant Germplasm System NGRL. Momordica charantia Momordica charantia (colloquial: bitter melon; bitter apple; bitter gourd; bitter squash; balsam-pear) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit. Bitter melon originated in India and was introduced into China in the 14th century. It is widely used in East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian cuisine. Bitter melon also has names in other languages which have"
"eaten raw. The flowers are also frequently stuffed and cooked (Greek language: ""Kolokythoanthoi"", Turkish language: ""Kabak çiçeği dolması""). Such dishes belong to a family of stuffed vegetable dishes, dolma, in the cuisine of the former Ottoman Empire. The stuffing frequently includes a soft cheese, such as ricotta. In the Campania and Latium regions of Italy and in some parts of Catalonia (Spain) they are frequently made into fritters. Its use is extensive in Mexican cuisine, especially in Central Mexico, where it is used for soups and as a filling for quesadillas. Squash blossom Squash blossoms (called courgette flowers in Great"
"a delicacy in combination with other foods. Fresh squash, either whole or in pieces, is roasted in ashes and used for food. The gourds can be made into cups, ladles, and dippers and put to various uses. The gourds are also worn in phallic dances symbolizing fructification or made into ceremonial rattles. Gourds are also made into receptacles for storing precious articles. It is approved for treatment of prostate disorders in Germany. Cucurbita pepo Cucurbita pepo is a cultivated plant of the genus ""Cucurbita"". It yields varieties of winter squash and pumpkin, but the most widespread varieties belong to the"
"processed for food when required. They are a popular vegetable in Great Britain and areas with significant British influence, though their popularity is waning in favor of immature summer squash like courgette. Giant marrows are grown competitively in the United Kingdom where the term ""marrow"" is often restricted to the striped, thick-skinned cultivar. In a culinary context, marrows are treated as a vegetable; usually cooked and presented as a savory dish or accompaniment. Botanically, marrows are fruit, a type of botanical berry, being the swollen ovary of the marrow flower. Marrows, like all squash, have their ancestry in the Americas."
"Gem squash Gem squash (""Cucurbita pepo"" var. ""pepo"") is a variety of summer squash that was domesticated from two wild varieties; ""Cucurbita texana"" found in the southern and central United States and ""Cucurbita fraterna"" found in Mexico. The dark green spherical fruit, when fully ripe, is about the size of a softball (slightly larger than a tennis ball). The fruit needs to be boiled or baked in order to render it palatable. It is cut in half and if the pips are tough, they are scooped out before or after steaming for 25 minutes. The pips are edible and nutritious"
"This squash is not as rich in beta-carotene as other winter squashes, but is a good source of dietary fiber and potassium, as well as smaller amounts of vitamins C and B, magnesium, and manganese. Acorn squash Acorn squash (""Cucurbita pepo"" var. turbinata), also called pepper squash or Des Moines squash, is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges on its exterior and sweet, yellow-orange flesh inside. Although considered a winter squash, acorn squash belongs to the same species (""Cucurbita pepo"") as all summer squashes (including zucchini and crookneck squash). Indigenous to North and Central America, the squash was introduced"
"Acanthosicyos Acanthosicyos is a genus of thorny shrubs of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae, subfamily Cucurbitoideae. The genus name derives from the Greek words """"akantha"""" for thorn and """"sykios"""" for cucumber or gourd. Endemic to the Namib Desert in Africa, this genus is represented by two known species including ""Acanthosicyos horridus"", the nara melon, an important food plant in its native range. The Gemsbok cucumber (""Acanthosicyos naudinianus"") is found as a trailing herb throughout much of western Botswana, eastern Namibia and northern South Africa. The Nara melon (""Acanthosicyos horridus"") is found in the Namib Desert but predominantly found within a narrow"
"Melon A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet edible, fleshy fruit. The word ""melon"" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a ""pepo"". The word ""melon"" derives from Latin """", which is the latinization of the Greek (""mēlopepōn""), meaning ""melon"", itself a compound of (""mēlon""), ""apple, treefruit (""of any kind"")"" and (""pepōn""), amongst others ""a kind of gourd or melon"". Many different cultivars have been produced, particularly of cantaloupes. Melons originated in Northeastern Africa and the Middle East, but they gradually"
"a large squash (within the group of common squash ""Cucurbita maxima"") that can exceed 1 tonne in weight. The variety arose from the large squash of South America through the efforts of botanical societies and enthusiast farmers. See #Pumpkin festivals and competitions below. In a 100-gram amount, raw pumpkin provides of food energy and is an excellent source (20% or more the Daily Value, DV) of provitamin A beta-carotene and vitamin A (53% DV) (table). Vitamin C is present in moderate content (11% DV), but no other nutrients are in significant amounts (less than 10% DV, table). Pumpkin is 92%"
"Acorn squash Acorn squash (""Cucurbita pepo"" var. turbinata), also called pepper squash or Des Moines squash, is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges on its exterior and sweet, yellow-orange flesh inside. Although considered a winter squash, acorn squash belongs to the same species (""Cucurbita pepo"") as all summer squashes (including zucchini and crookneck squash). Indigenous to North and Central America, the squash was introduced to early European settlers by Native Americans. The most common variety is dark green on the outside, often with a single splotch of orange on the side or top, however newer varieties have arisen, including"
"Cucurbita Cucurbita (Latin for gourd) is a genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, also known as cucurbits, native to the Andes and Mesoamerica. Five species are grown worldwide for their edible fruit, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd depending on species, variety, and local parlance, and for their seeds. Other kinds of gourd, also called bottle-gourds, are native to Africa and belong to the genus ""Lagenaria"", which is in the same family and subfamily as ""Cucurbita"" but in a different tribe. These other gourds are used as utensils or vessels, and their young fruits are eaten"